Big Brake questions
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
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Big Brake questions
I need new brakes but just dumped a bundle on the hotcam/mezier/opti upgrade/repair. Not to mention fixing the A/C clutch, the rear hatch assists and replacing my blown amp. All this in the last two months.
I'd like to go with the 13" GS rotors. I know you need the J55 brackets. I found in the archives a couple of folks that reused the 12" calipers and got away with it.
So I'm thinking of going this route to save the $300 for the J55's. I know the pads are the same, but are there any fit/float issues with the thickness of the larger rotors?
Is it safe to assume the stock 17" 9.5 sawblades will clear the larger setup?
Thanks
Jay
I'd like to go with the 13" GS rotors. I know you need the J55 brackets. I found in the archives a couple of folks that reused the 12" calipers and got away with it.
So I'm thinking of going this route to save the $300 for the J55's. I know the pads are the same, but are there any fit/float issues with the thickness of the larger rotors?
Is it safe to assume the stock 17" 9.5 sawblades will clear the larger setup?
Thanks
Jay
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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Re: Big Brake questions (Jay Axson)
Don't know about the brackets, but yes the wheels will fit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
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From: San Diego CA
Re: Big Brake questions (Jay Axson)
Although I didn't specifically measure the brackets, I can't imagine how the 12" would hold the bigger calipers and rotors. The 13" rotors are something like 3/4" thicker, meaning the calipers woould need to be able to spread an additional 3/4" apart.
A pair of new brackets are only about $70 from Jeff Kopp. Why take the chance on it. Save your money for another month and do it right.
www.superchevyperformance.com/misc/gsbrakes.asp
A pair of new brackets are only about $70 from Jeff Kopp. Why take the chance on it. Save your money for another month and do it right.
www.superchevyperformance.com/misc/gsbrakes.asp
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Re: Big Brake questions (John Row)
Although I didn't specifically measure the brackets, I can't imagine how the 12" would hold the bigger calipers and rotors. The 13" rotors are something like 3/4" thicker, meaning the calipers woould need to be able to spread an additional 3/4" apart.
A pair of new brackets are only about $70 from Jeff Kopp. Why take the chance on it. Save your money for another month and do it right.
www.superchevyperformance.com/misc/gsbrakes.asp
A pair of new brackets are only about $70 from Jeff Kopp. Why take the chance on it. Save your money for another month and do it right.
www.superchevyperformance.com/misc/gsbrakes.asp
You need the larger mounting brackets to position the calipers as the rotors are larger in circumferance.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,263
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From: O'Fallon Missouri
Re: Big Brake questions (Jay Axson)
Jay, I read most of your posts about your cam install and it sounded like you did everything the right way. Don't do a half baked job on you brakes, they are too important.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,444
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Re: Big Brake questions (John Row)
I guess I didn't phrase it well.
I do realize you have to get the brackets for $70 bucks. What I was trying to figure out if the old caliper can be used or do you have to spend the $300 for the GS calipers.
If you do I'm going to stick with stock. But I saw one thread where someone said the reused the old calipers with new brackets.
Thanks!
I do realize you have to get the brackets for $70 bucks. What I was trying to figure out if the old caliper can be used or do you have to spend the $300 for the GS calipers.
If you do I'm going to stick with stock. But I saw one thread where someone said the reused the old calipers with new brackets.
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,801
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From: St. Paul MN
Re: Big Brake questions (Jay Axson)
I can't believe that the calipers will work on either rotor. Something is wrong here. I could have sworn that the calipers I took off my stock brake setup with 12" rotors only had one piston. The GS calipers I put on have 2 pistons. And I'm sure they don't use the same pads. I think something is smelly here.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 118
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From: JACKSON NJ
Re: Big Brake questions (Jay Axson)
just had my rear brakes done today-i had a bad pulse when i stepped on the brakes---chevy dealer wanted 140.00/per
caliper and 127.00 for the rear pads---i went to my mechanic in new egypt n.j---cost me 70.00 for new cals. and 69.00
for the pads + 40.00 labor---------dealers make a nice profit dont they!!!!!!!! :mad :eek: :jester
caliper and 127.00 for the rear pads---i went to my mechanic in new egypt n.j---cost me 70.00 for new cals. and 69.00
for the pads + 40.00 labor---------dealers make a nice profit dont they!!!!!!!! :mad :eek: :jester
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
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Re: Big Brake questions (Bob86ZZ4)
It's definately the same pads :yesnod: I'm pretty confident of this.
The GS calipers are beefier and have less flex.
What I don't know is if the the 13" rotor is wider and if so are they old calipers wide enough to fit right.
The GS calipers are beefier and have less flex.
What I don't know is if the the 13" rotor is wider and if so are they old calipers wide enough to fit right.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
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From: Northern CA
Re: Big Brake questions (Jay Axson)
http://www.superchevyperformance.com...4calipers.html
The 13" rotors are indeed wider. You might be able to get the old 12" calipers to work if your pads are thin enough, but why chance it? That's a hack job IMHO :) The brakes stop your car, I say do it right.
My .02.
The 13" rotors are indeed wider. You might be able to get the old 12" calipers to work if your pads are thin enough, but why chance it? That's a hack job IMHO :) The brakes stop your car, I say do it right.
My .02.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Re: Big Brake questions (JasonL)
If you want to do it cheaply, find someone who upgraded from the regular 13" brakes to the GS or C5 brakes, and buy their old calipers. I've seen them on sale for $75/pair used.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,178
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From: Windermere FL
Re: Big Brake questions (JasonL)
I put in mine for $750 but I could have done it for less. I went with Hawk pads and new Z06 calipers and polished adapter plates. Knock $100 off the price if you go with cheaper stuff. If you scavange a yard, you can probably pick up the C5 rotors and pads really cheap. GM C5 Rotors are $55 new. You will only need the adapters and some brake fluid and you will crush a set of C4 brakes. They will work with a set of spacers with sawblades according to VBP.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 972
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From: Springdale AR
Re: Big Brake questions (Jay Axson)
Well, I can't speak for the rear calipers, but I just had my front calipers off about 1 hr. ago and they are stock 12" and the stock calipers have 2 pistons not one, but as for knowing if the 13" rotor will work with the 12" caliper..I don't know.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
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Re: Big Brake questions (92TripleBlack)
92TripleBlack,
I read the thread on your upgrade, nice choice. BTW that's a really nice car you have put together, I look forward to chrome 5 spokes someday.
I appreciate the advice you gave when I was putting in my audio system last season.
Anyway, I'd definately spring for either a C5 or GS upgrade if I hadn't been spending so $$$ on it lately. If business was better I wouldn't think twice.
Are yours installed yet? If so how what is the SOTP like?
[Modified by Jay Axson, 11:18 PM 7/9/2002]
[Modified by Jay Axson, 11:19 PM 7/9/2002]
I read the thread on your upgrade, nice choice. BTW that's a really nice car you have put together, I look forward to chrome 5 spokes someday.
I appreciate the advice you gave when I was putting in my audio system last season.
Anyway, I'd definately spring for either a C5 or GS upgrade if I hadn't been spending so $$$ on it lately. If business was better I wouldn't think twice.
Are yours installed yet? If so how what is the SOTP like?
[Modified by Jay Axson, 11:18 PM 7/9/2002]
[Modified by Jay Axson, 11:19 PM 7/9/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,029
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Re: Big Brake questions (vette92_1)
> I just had my front calipers off about 1 hr. ago and they are stock 12" and the stock calipers have 2 pistons not one
What confuses people in this matter is that 84-87 calipers are indeed one piston calibers and the rotors are only 11.5". 88 and up (like yours) GM upgraded the calipers to 2 piston style and rotors went up to 12".
I believe that 12" caliper will not work with 13" rotor like others have said. If it would - the ZR-1 brake kit upgrade market that started 10 years ago would not exist. The kits all came with rotors, brackets and calipers - and still do. Just logical IMO.
ToniH
What confuses people in this matter is that 84-87 calipers are indeed one piston calibers and the rotors are only 11.5". 88 and up (like yours) GM upgraded the calipers to 2 piston style and rotors went up to 12".
I believe that 12" caliper will not work with 13" rotor like others have said. If it would - the ZR-1 brake kit upgrade market that started 10 years ago would not exist. The kits all came with rotors, brackets and calipers - and still do. Just logical IMO.
ToniH
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
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From: Toronto ontario
Re: Big Brake questions (ToniH)
I have done this whole conversion to my 93. With new brake pads, the stock calipers will NOT fit the 13 inch rotors because they are much thicker. The grandsport calipers are actually stronger , and wider to be used with the wider rotors.
Safety Car
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From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
Re: Big Brake questions (Bob86ZZ4)
The C-5 upgrade is worth every penny, but you'll have to use the 3/4" adaptors to fit them with the saw-blades. The 12" calipers won't fit on the 13" rotor. :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Windermere FL
Re: Big Brake questions (Jay Axson)
Thanks Jay.
Yeah they are on there. You may be able to see the red between the front spokes. Stops like no other car I have been in before. My first time I hammered the brakes in an emergency stop all this junk I didn't know was there came out from under the seats. At this point, I'm not worried about hitting anything, I'm worried about being hit from behind because noone will be able to stop with me. :D I'd save up for the C5 and put a bandaid on if you can until then. The C5 rotors are only $55 and pads from hawk $75 so once you switch the upkeep is cheaper than the C4 brakes also.
I did the upgrade myself with a friend. Took us the standard idiot time of 3 hours(Professional time x 2) and was really easy to do. Glad to hear the sterio is working out for you. Luck with Biz.
Yeah they are on there. You may be able to see the red between the front spokes. Stops like no other car I have been in before. My first time I hammered the brakes in an emergency stop all this junk I didn't know was there came out from under the seats. At this point, I'm not worried about hitting anything, I'm worried about being hit from behind because noone will be able to stop with me. :D I'd save up for the C5 and put a bandaid on if you can until then. The C5 rotors are only $55 and pads from hawk $75 so once you switch the upkeep is cheaper than the C4 brakes also.
I did the upgrade myself with a friend. Took us the standard idiot time of 3 hours(Professional time x 2) and was really easy to do. Glad to hear the sterio is working out for you. Luck with Biz.